Expression and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor flt in pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine, which has recently been reported to enhance the activation and migration of monocytes through the flt receptor in vitro, which are key events in granuloma formation of granulomatous disorders and in sarcoidosis. Since activated macrophages and monocytes are known to be involved in sarcoid granuloma formation in sarcoidosis, we investigated the expression of VEGF and its receptor flt in 33 paraffin-embedded lung tissue biopsies of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. VEGF-mRNA was localized by nonradioactive in situ hybridization, VEGF and flt expression were visualized immunohistochemically. We found an increased transcription and protein production of VEGF and an overexpression of flt in activated alveolar macrophages, in epitheloid cells, and in multinuclear giant cells of pulmonary sarcoid granulomas.
Tolnay
E
E
Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis Medical School, Budapest, Hungary. patho-bhl@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Kuhnen
C
C
Voss
B
B
Wiethege
T
T
Müller
K M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1